Clelin Ferrell & Austin Bryant returning to Clemson

Marsha Jordan |Sunday, January 14, 2018

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Bourret indicated that Swinney didn't provide information on junior defensive lineman Christian Wilkins, who is ranked the No. 9 player available for April's National Football League draft by ESPN draft analysts Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay.

Both Ferrell and Bryant alluded to the future of Clemson football following the team's College Football Playoff loss to Alabama in the Sugar Bowl and ultimately chose to put a stay on starting their professional careers.

Clemson's defense finished the 2017 campaign ranked second in the nation with 13.6 points allowed per game.

BC-FBC-Clemson-NFL, 139Clemson DE Ferrell returning to TigersEds: APNewsNow. Regardless of what Wilkins decides, the return of Ferrell and Bryant, two of the team's top defensive linemen, is a major boost for the defending ACC champions. In 28 games as a starter Ferrell has recorded 15.5 sacks and 111 tackles for the Tigers.

Bryant, a red-shirt junior in 2017, was named a first-team All-American by the Football Writers Association of America, a second-team selection by the Walter Camp Foundation and a third team selection by the Associated Press.

Joseph led Clemson in tackles this season (96), logging 5 for loss. Ferrell led Clemson in sacks and tackles for loss.